Simulated realistic flame mechanism for electric fireplaces

Abstract

A layered simulated flame mechanism for use in an electric fireplace, the layered simulated flame mechanism comprising: two or more video display surfaces, spaced apart, and oriented in layers relative to each other by one or more of (i) different elevations, (ii) different orientations in a horizontal plane, or (iii) different orientations in a vertical plane, one or more dedicated video processors transmitting flame videos onto each of the display surfaces, generating a simulated flame on each of the video display surfaces, wherein the spacing and orientation of the two or more video display surfaces relative to each other creates a three-dimensional flame appearance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A layered simulated flame mechanism for use in an electric fireplace, the layered simulated flame mechanism comprising:
 two or more video display surfaces, spaced apart, and oriented in layers relative to each other by one or more of (i) different elevations, (ii) different orientations in a horizontal plane, or (iii) different orientations in a vertical plane; and   one or more dedicated video processors transmitting flame videos onto each of the video display surfaces, generating a simulated flame on each of the video display surfaces,   wherein the spacing and orientation of the two or more video display surfaces relative to each other creates a three-dimensional flame appearance.   
     
     
         2 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the video display surfaces are oriented in a stepped configuration relative to each other at different elevations to create an appearance of flames of different heights at different depths within the fireplace. 
     
     
         3 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one video display surface is oriented approximately vertically. 
     
     
         4 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each flame video display surface has a dedicated video processor. 
     
     
         5 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one video display surface comprises electrochromic glass, wherein the electric fireplace includes a controller, and wherein the controller controls the one or more dedicated video processors and the electrochromic glass. 
     
     
         6 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a simulated fire log set, the simulated fire log set comprising one or more simulated logs and having one or more grooves located between front and rear edges of the log assembly to receive and retain one or more of the video display surfaces therein. 
     
     
         7 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , where a speed of image movement at multiple layers and a speed of light reflection on the simulated logs are synchronized by a centralized controller, according to an input. 
     
     
         8 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , where a color of image movement at multiple layers and a color of light reflection on the simulated logs are synchronized by a centralized controller, according to an input. 
     
     
         9 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the two or more video display surfaces comprise a first, a second, and a third video display surface;   the first, second, and third video display surfaces are positioned side by side and aligned generally parallel to one another with the second video display surface located between the first and the third video display surfaces; and   the second video display surface extends vertically higher than the first and the third video display surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the two or more video display surfaces comprise a first, a second and a third video display surface;   the first, second, and third video display surfaces are positioned side by side and arranged in generally parallel rows with the second video display surface located between the first and the third video display surfaces;   the first video display surface has a vertical height less than the second and third video display surfaces;   the second video display surface has a vertical height less than the third video display surface; and   each video display surface has its own dedicated video processor while also receiving secondary projections from other video processor sources.   
     
     
         11 . A layered simulated flame mechanism for use in an electric fireplace, the layered simulated flame mechanism comprising:
 a first, a second, and a third video display surface, the video display surfaces spaced apart from one another with the second video display surface positioned between the first and the third video display surfaces, the first, second, and third video display surfaces oriented in a stepped configuration with the first video display surface at a first elevation, the second video display surface at a second elevation, and the third video display surface at a third elevation, the second elevation being greater than the first elevation and the third elevation being greater than the second elevation; and   a video processor associated with each of the video display surfaces, each video processor transmitting light onto its respective video display surface to generate an image of a simulated flame on the respective video display surface;   wherein the spacing apart of the video display surfaces and their stepped configuration creates a three-dimensional flame appearance when light from the video processors is transmitted onto the video display surfaces.   
     
     
         12 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least one video display surface is oriented at an angle relative to vertical. 
     
     
         13 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least one video display surface is oriented at an angle relative to vertical and at least one video display surface is approximately vertical. 
     
     
         14 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein one or more of the video display surfaces is non-planar and has curves or contours. 
     
     
         15 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least one video display surface comprises electrochromic glass, wherein the electric fireplace includes a controller, and wherein the controller controls the electrochromic glass and the video processor associated with the at least one video display surface to together create a desired image on the at least one video display surface. 
     
     
         16 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein one or more of the video display surfaces includes a holographic film, the holographic film enhancing the three-dimensional flame appearance. 
     
     
         17 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a simulated fire log set having one or more simulated logs, wherein one or more of the video display surfaces has an opening to receive a simulated log therethrough. 
     
     
         18 . The layered simulated flame mechanism as claimed in  claim 11 , comprising a simulated fire log set, the simulated fire log set comprising one or more simulated logs and having one or more grooves to receive and retain one or more video display surfaces therein.